Eskom's can generate a total nominal capacity of 44GW as at March 2019.[8] Coal fired power stations make up 83% to the nominal capacity mix generated just over 90% of the total energy in 2018.[8] The rest of the energy generated came from a combined contribution by other power stati Contact online >>
Eskom''s can generate a total nominal capacity of 44GW as at March 2019.[8] Coal fired power stations make up 83% to the nominal capacity mix generated just over 90% of the total energy in 2018.[8] The rest of the energy generated came from a combined contribution by other power stations which accounted for 17% in total nominal capacity.[8]
In 2024, repairs to Eskom''s coal-fired power stations resulted in a stable power supply for three consecutive months, reducing solar installations from 97 MW to 26 MW monthly. Imports of photovoltaic cells and modules from China dropped from over $180 million in May 2023 to less than $40 million per month since August 2023.[12]
South African Reserves by Coalfields[19]
The largest coal deposits in South Africa are to be found in the Ecca deposits, a stratum of the Karoo Supergroup, dating from the Permian period, between 280 and 250 Ma. The Ecca Group is extensive, covering around two-thirds of South Africa (much of it covered by slightly younger rocks - see diagram on the left). Only the northern and north-eastern portion of these Ecca deposits is coal-bearing, but it nevertheless contains more than a third of all coal reserves in the Southern Hemisphere.[20]
The five largest coal mining companies account for around 85% of all production. They are Anglo American plc, South32''s South Africa Energy Coal,[22] Sasol Mining, Glencore Xstrata, and Exxaro.[6]
Open-pit mining account for roughly half of South African coal mining operations, the other half being sub-surface.[6][16]
The portion of renewable energy as a percentage of final energy consumption in 2012 was 16.9%. Most of that was from the burning of traditional biofuels for heating.
6.6% of electricity produced in South Africa in 2018 came from renewables (wind power, hydropower and solar power; biofuels did not contribute much to electricity production).[24]
In terms of share of GDP in 2012, South Africa was the fourth largest investor in renewable power in the world after Uruguay, Mauritius and Costa Rica. That rate of investment is expected to continue. Renewable energy will play a larger role in future.[26]
South Africa''s per capita greenhouse gas emissions are the highest in Africa.[27]
South Africa''s commitment to renewable energy lags behind that of China, India, Brazil, and Russia. South Africa receives more than twice as much sunshine than Germany, where over 15 percent of the national electricity supply comes from renewable sources.[28][29][30][31]
The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) is an initiative by the South African government, laid out by the Integrated Resource Plan that is aimed at increasing electricity generation through private sector investment in solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar, wind, small hydro (<40 MW), landfill gas, biomass, and biogas.[7]
"South Africa''s National Energy Regulator (NERSA) announced 31 March 2009 the introduction of a system of feed-in tariffs designed to produce 10 TWh of electricity per year by 2013. The feed-in tariffs announced were substantially higher than those in NERSA''s original proposal. The tariffs, differentiated by technology, will be paid for a period of 20 years.
NERSA said in its release that the tariffs were based, as in most European countries, on the cost of generation plus a reasonable profit. The tariffs for wind energy and concentrating solar power are among the most attractive worldwide.
The tariff for wind energy, 1.25 ZAR/kWh (€0.104/kWh) is greater than that offered in Germany and more than that proposed in Ontario, Canada.
The tariff for concentrating solar, 2.10 ZAR/kWh, is less than that in Spain, but offers great promise in the bright sunlight of South Africa. NERSA''s revised program followed extensive public consultation.
Stefan Gsänger, Secretary General of the World Wind Energy Association said in a release that "South Africa is the first African country to introduce a feed-in tariff for wind energy. Many small and big investors will now be able to contribute to the take-off of the wind industry in the country. Such decentralised investment will enable South Africa to overcome its current energy crisis. It will also help many South African communities to invest in wind farms and generate electricity, new jobs and new income. We are especially pleased as this decision comes shortly after the first North American feed-in law has been proposed by the Government of the Canadian Province of Ontario".[32]
However, the feed-in tariff was abandoned before being promulgated in favor of a competitive bidding process launched on 3 August 2011. Under this bidding process, the South African government plans to procure 3,750 MW of renewable energy: 1,850 MW of onshore wind, 1,450 MW of solar PV, 200 MW of CSP, 75 MW of small hydro, 25 MW of landfill gas, 12.5 MW of biogas, 12.5 MW of biomass, and 100 MW of small projects. The bidding process comprises two steps:
The first round of bids was due on 4 November 2011. The SA government is expected to announce preferred bidders before COP17 in December. PPA''s are expected to be in place by June 2012. Projects should be commissioned by June 2014, except CSP projects which are expected by June 2015.
The average indexed bid prices (2012) for the supply of energy in the first bid window for the various renewable energy technologies were:
Eskom claims a standard electricity production price (2012)of R0.31 per kWh (Eskom-predominately Coal and Nuclear),[33] however energy generated from Eskom''s new coal power plants have been estimated to be R0.97 per kWh.
Koeberg nuclear power station accounted for 4.5% of the country''s electricity production in 2018.[24] It has two pressurized water reactors based on a French design and rated at 0.93 GW net power each (1.86 GW in total). It is the only commercial nuclear powerplant in the African continent.
Secret price contracts between Eskom and the Australian mining company BHP Billiton less than half Eskom''s reported production price in the period.[34]
Many abandoned mines have been burning since the 1940s. Persistent and toxic mine chemical leakages pollute waterways and kill animals. In 2006, about 80% of South Africa''s coal exports was in Europe.[21]
Power Station Maximum Generating Capacity as of 2019[1]
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